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Introducing Netherlands

Netherlands Travel Guide

The Netherlands is widely considered to be a fail-safe tourist
destination: a vibrant, friendly country full of fascinating
cultural sights and beautiful natural scenery, it seems impossible
to have a bad time in the Netherlands. From the fun-loving capital
of Amsterdam and the historically rich towns of Delft and Groningen, to the tulip and
windmill-strewn countryside, a holiday in the Netherlands is
guaranteed to delight all comers.

Most travel first to Amsterdam, which offers great
tourist activities and interesting things to see. It is almost
obligatory to take a tour of the city's famous canals, squeezing
through tight waterways, passing under 17th-century bridges, and
admiring the picturesque riverside houses. Amsterdam is also awash
with world-famous art galleries, museums and concert halls.
Amsterdam's famous Red Light
District has been a mainstay of the global sex tourism industry
for many years. The city is also renowned as a drug tourism
destination, as its famously lenient attitude toward cannabis has
seen the proliferation of 'coffeeshops'; however, laws introduced in
early 2012 ban foreigners from these establishments throughout the
Netherlands, and Amsterdam is now the only city which is still
fighting to keep its 'coffeeshops' open to foreigners.

Tourists who venture outside of Amsterdam will also be richly
rewarded. The 750-year-old city of Delft, famous for its distinctive
blue and white pottery, boasts an interesting mix of youthful
energy and historic sites; while Rotterdam is a gleaming city of
high-rise buildings and truly innovative architecture including the
famously distinctive cube houses.

Best time to visit the Netherlands

The Netherlands' climate is quite similar to that of teh United
Kingdom, featuring temperate and changeable conditions all year
round, with lots of rainfall. The best time to visit is either in
spring (April and May), when the tulips are in bloom, or in summer
(July and August), when, despite the hordes of tourists, the lovely
long days allow you to pack more sightseeing and adventuring into
your holiday. Read more on the Netherlands' Climate
and Weather.

What to see in the Netherlands

- Admire the paintings of the Dutch Masters in Amsterdam's
Rijksmuseum.

- Visit the Anne Frank Museum for
a poignant and humanising reminder of the tragedy of the Nazi
occupation of the Netherlands in the 1940s.

- See the small town of Kinderdijk's historic windmills: an
iconic sight, sure to be one of your abiding memories of the
Netherlands.

- The Van Gogh Museum houses more
than 200 paintings and 500 drawings, and provides a fascinating
insight into the troubled mind of the famous Dutch artist. Read
more about Netherlands
Attractions.

What to do in the Netherlands

- Take a tour through Amsterdam's famous canals for the perfect introduction to this
historic city.

- Dress up nicely, and head to Amsterdam's Red Light District (De Wallen) for an
unforgettable night on the town.

- Head to the Heineken
Experience, and get a close-up look at how the Netherlands'
favourite beer is brewed.

- Take a trip to fun, historic Delft, and go shopping at the Royal
Delftware Factory for the iconic blue and white porcelain.

Getting to the Netherlands

There are plenty of direct cheap flights to the Netherlands
available from a wide range of British and American destinations.
Several European low-cost carriers offer cheap flights to
Amsterdam's Schipol Airport. Get more information on Netherlands
Airports.

Read

The Diary of Anne Frank by Anne Frank, The Girl
with the Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier, Tulip
Fever by Debroah Moggach, and The Black Tulip by
Alexandre Dumas.

Eat

What to buy

Blue and white ceramics from the Delft region, miniature
windmills, and clogs (wooden shoes, known locally as
klompen).

What to pack

When packing for the Netherlands, bear in mind that the weather
is very changeable and subject to a lot of rainfall all year round.
Make sure you pack a good variety of clothing to deal with varying
temperatures, and that you have a good rain slicker to carry around
with you in your day pack.

What's on in the Netherlands

The Holland Festival (June) is a
month-long cultural celebration that encompasses all art forms,
from pop music to high-minded drama, and features many
international artists. The Cannabis Cup
(November) is the marijuana world's equivalent of the World Cup,
where judges and curious tourists from all over the world
congregate to judge the world's best weed. More information on
Netherlands
Events.

Did you know?

- More than half of the surface area of the Netherlands is less
than one metre above sea-level.

- Dutch people are the tallest in the world, with men averaging
six feet (184cm) and women five feet six inches (170cm).

- The Netherlands has frequently topped lists as the world's
greatest country for children to grow up in.

A final word

A famously progressive and liberal society, uniquely blessed
with cultural sights and attractions, whether you're seeking high
culture or just plain hedonistic fun, the Netherlands is a
fantastic choice for an unforgettable European holiday.

Our Travel Expert

Kaleigh is from Denver, Colorado and has a degree in Art History. She is
currently working as an au pair in the Netherlands and uses all her free time
to explore, immersing herself as much as possible in Dutch culture. She is learning
the language and enjoys writing about her experiences sampling local food and
admiring Dutch art and architecture.

We are looking for contributors for our Netherlands travel guide. If you are a local, a regular traveller to Netherlands
or a travel professional with time to contribute and answer occasional forum questions, please contact us.